Safety electrical switch attachment



Sept. 26, 1950 J. T. cHoPPA 2,523,943

SAFETY ELECTRICAL SWITCH ATTACHMENT Filed April 14, 1949 1 III =1.

INVENTQR BY I I I I u ATTORNEYS.

Patented Sept. 26, 1950 j T D .srATEs PATENT: OFFICE SAFETY ELECTRICAL SWITCH ATTACHMENT I John T. Choppa, New Haven, Conn.

Application April 14, 1949, Serial No. 87,471

1 Claim. 1

This invention relates to an attachment designed for use in connection with electric switches of the pivoted type, the primary object of the invention being to provide means whereby the switch may be secured and locked in either its on or off position to prevent the operation of the switch by unauthorized persons.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for automatically securing the switch in its off position, when it is desired to cut off the current for repairing an oil burner in which the electric circuit is controlled by the switch.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter more fully described and pointed. out in the claims, it being understood that changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing. from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

Referring to the drawing Figure l is an elevational view illustrating an electric switch securing mechanism, constructed in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view thereof.

Fig. 3 is an end elevational view of the attachment.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 1-4 of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the reference character 5 indicates the usual electric switch of the pivoted switch actuating arm type, the pivoted switch actuating arm being indicated by the reference character 6, and shown as extended through the opening of the usual finishing plate I which attaches to the switch pro-per, as by means of the screws 8, in the usual and well known manner.

The device forming the essence of the present invention, includes a base plate 9 formed with an opening so arranged that it may be secured to the finishing plate 7, by means of the screw 8 which secures the finishing plate in pcsition on' the switch.

The base plate 9 is provided with upstanding longitudinal flanges l0 formed along the longitudinal edges thereof, the flanges adjacent to one end of the base plate being formed with openings to accommodate the pivot pin it to which the upper section of the securing device is pivotally connected. 7

The upper section of the securing device or lock, is indicated by the reference character 12, and is provided with inwardly extended flanges arm in a manner as shown by Figs. 1 and 2 l3 disposed along the longitudinal edges thereof, the flanges l3 being spaced apart a distance so that they will fit over the flanges It of the base plate, as clearly shown by the drawing.

The pivot pin I I, passes through openings in the flanges I3 pivotally connecting the upper section of the fastener to the base plate. The coiled spring indicated by the reference character it is wrapped around the pivot pin H, and is so connected with the base plate and upper section of the fastener, that the tendency of the coiled spring is to normally urge the upper section to its active position over the base plate.

As shown, the flanges 10 of the base plate, are formed with upstanding portions 15 that are provided with openings I6, for the reception of the hasp of a padlock, should it be desired to lock the upper section of the fastener against movement to prevent the operation of the switch actuating arm with which the device is used.

The upper section is formed with slots ll through which the upstandin portions eXtend, and the portion of the upper section directly between the slots, is slightly concaved as at it to provide a clearance for the heap of the lock when a lock is used with the device.

As shown by Fig. 4 of the drawing, the free end of the upper section of the fastener, curves upwardly slightly as at 59 so that it will fit closely against the actuating arm.

The upper surface of the upper section i2, is provided with the cut out portion 20 that is so arranged that the actuating arm 6 will fit thereinto, when the actuating arm is moved to its off position as shown by'Fig. 4 of the drawing. It Will be obvious that with the upper section of the fastener in this position, the actuating arm will be held against movement under normal conditions.

When the actuating arm is moved to the position as shown in dotted lines, or the on position, the upper section will engage the actuating 2 of the drawing holding the arm against return move= ment to its off position.

From the foregoing it will be seen that due to the construction shown and described, I have provided an attachment for use in connection with the pivoted switch actuating arm that may be readily and easily applied for securing the switch actuating arm in either its cff? or on position.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

The combination, with the pivoted actuating arm of an electric switch, or a securing device for 3 securing the actuating arm in its off or on position, comprising a base plate secured to the electric switch adjacent to the actuating arm, outwardly extended flanges formed alon the iongitudinal edges of the base plate, said flanges having upstanding apertured portions, an upper section pivotally connected with the base plate and having slots through which the upstanding portions extend, the upstanding portions adapted to receive a securing means for securing the upper section against movement with respect to the base plate, and said upper section cooperating with the pivoted arm in preventing movement of the pivoted arm.

JOHN T. CHOPPA.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES, PATENTS 10 Number Name Date 2,169,860 Von HOOl'n Aug. 15, 1939 2,348,393 Krieger May 8, 1944' 

